Locked out

[Velsandy]

Help, locked deadbolt on outside now can’t get key to insert what to do? This is on a 5.0

[Dee08802]

Got any small kids that can crawl in through outside storage hatch assuming it has direct access to the interior like on the 19?

Ken

[Iowa Dave]

Remove hinge screws and take door off. Or borrow an ice pick or piece of wire and see if it will go in and squirt a lubricant like WD40 in the slot, or if you have an exterior hatch on the right front and the door to access the space on the inside, empty the storage area. Open the inner door. Get a makeup mirror and put it on the floor inside and about a four foot long stick. Angle the mirror so you can see the door lock and manually flip the deadbolt the other way from where it is with the stick. I had to do this once in our 19. That’s when they had the bad locksets on the early ones. It takes a few minutes. Once you access the lockset, make
Sure all screws are tight and all sliding surfaces and cylinders are lubricated.

Iowa Dave

[gbaglo]

When done with that, I believe the advice is not to use the deadbolt from outside.

[stpax]

spray the key and core

[cpaharley2008]

Try pushing the door in to fully latch the lock and then try unlocking it.

[Velsandy]

Can’t get the key in to turn the tumbler.

[sclifrickson]

Once you sort things out, going forward lube your locks with a dry lube eg powdered graphite, or such, made specifically for locks. Wet lubes eg silicone or WD40 work great initially but eventually attract and accumulate a lot of dirt and grit, which eventually jams your locks up. Ask any locksmith about it.

[Iowa Dave]

Originally Posted by sclifrickson

Once you sort things out, going forward lube your locks with a dry lube eg powdered graphite, or such, made specifically for locks. Wet lubes eg silicone or WD40 work great initially but eventually attract and accumulate a lot of dirt and grit, which eventually jams your locks up. Ask any locksmith about it.

You are right about the WD40. I suggested it for the jam he is in but personally use a spray called Tri-Flow. It is great on moving parts and does not attract dirt. I use it on bicycle chains, locks and semi automatic rifles. Works well.
Iowa Dave

[sclifrickson]

Originally Posted by Iowa Dave

Remove hinge screws and take door off.

That sure was an easy way in on the First Gen trailers. I never had to do it on our 2010, but I always had the right size Roberts head driver in my truck just in case. I believe OP has a 2017 trailer though. Didn't they stop making the First Gen airplane door rigs in 2016?

[jumboscott]

Another solution

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KspPlJ0bqo4

[ATHiker]

Can you gain access through the escape hatch above the bed?

[EdColorado]

I would have called a locksmith a long time ago.

[stratos175]

Iowa Dave, seems to be a couple of formulas of the Tri Flow which one do you use? I want to get some of it to have on hand.

THANKS

Enjoy the journey.

Steve

[Dave Walter]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

When done with that, I believe the advice is not to use the deadbolt from outside.

I disagree. I have been using the deadbolt from outside since day 1 on both of our 2013 Escapes with zero issues. Locks are meant to be used!

[jxoco]

Originally Posted by Velsandy

Can’t get the key in to turn the tumbler.

On our trailer, sometimes the decorative silver slot on the outside gets spun around and doesn't match the slot in the guts of the locking mechanism.
So I put the key just in about a tenth of an inch and spin the decorative slot to be straight up vertical or if that fails straight horizontal, and then the key goes all the way in and the lock works.
if the last action was locking from the outside, I think the slot has to be horizontal, but I don't really know. just play with it.

We have also used the deadbolt since day one and other than this mis-aligned decorative slot happening about once a year, it has always worked.

[tdf-texas]

One of the first changes I made to our trailer was to replace the door lock.

I had heard that the type of lock that the trailer came with is made with a limited number of keys and it was possible that someone elses key could fit my trailer.

So, I took my Casita key and tried it on the Escape. Worked fine - I could lock and unlock the Escape. That did it! That lock had to go.

That's been two years ago and the keyless lock I installed (RVLock V4 Keyless Entry Handle) has worked well. It's made with better steel for the deadbolt and shows no wear from leaving the door locked while traveling.

https://www.amazon.com/RVLock-Keyles.../dp/B00N58KQMQ

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by tdf-texas

One of the first changes I made to our trailer was to replace the door lock.

If I remember right, there were some great sales on this lock on Black Friday last year. Too bad it won't work on any of the classics, just 2nd gen trailers.

[Telescopist]

I carry a large pry bar. Takes but a second to open the door.

[Mike Lewis]

It appears that RV Lock makes a compact mechanical lock as well for $30. Has anyone tried this lock on one of the 1st generation Escapes?

https://www.amazon.com/RVLock-Mechan...H9X7EFZXM9ESXA